For the Triumph of Goodness, Truth, and America

Satan?

In Sacred Scripture we read that Christ was not always pleased with the conduct of Peter, the first pope of His Church. In fact, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was charity itself, went so far as to call St. Peter “Satan.” St. Matthew gives the account in his gospel: “[Christ] Who turning, said to Peter: Go behind me, Satan: thou art a scandal unto me, because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men.” (Matt, 16:23) If Jesus could use such incredibly harsh words against a soul as holy as St. Peter, what words might he employ against the man who claims to be Peter’s successor, Francis the Liberal?

In a recent letter which was read during the U.S. Regional World Meeting of Popular Movements, Francis writes, “I know that you have committed yourselves to fight for social justice, to defend our Sister Mother Earth and to stand alongside migrants. I want to reaffirm your choice.” Does this sound like someone who minds the things of God or of man? Francis’ obsession with “Sister Mother Earth,” saving the environment, stopping global warming, “caring for creation,” and solving our “ecological crisis,” all point to a wholly materialistic mindset. Care for the immaterial soul is nowhere to be found on Francis’ list of priorities.

Does this obsession with the things of man and total disregard for the things of God in some way merit Francis the title of Satan? After all, we see Our Lord applying the title to St. Peter for what seems like infinitely inferior offenses. A just anger enkindled against this wolf in sheep’s clothing could certainly lead one to that conclusion, but we must bear in mind that our human conclusions are susceptible to error. Our Lord was justified in referring to St. Peter as Satan because He knew Peter’s heart. We do not know Francis’ heart. For us to judge another’s state of conscience is forbidden. Satan he may be, but the call is not ours to make.

Simply ignoring Francis’ anti-Christian actions, however, would be letting him off the hook too easy. We may not be permitted to judge the character of Francis’ soul, but we most certainly can, and must, judge the character of his actions. This is an area with no pliability. The terrible actions of Francis the Liberal are among the most scandalous and treacherous this world has ever seen. The man conveys at every step an utter disregard for the things of God while simultaneously manifesting an absolute obsession for the things of man–and this is supposed to be the leader of Christ’s Church. Such a terrible attitude is indicative of a terrible soul. Nay, such terrible actions are indicative of Satan himself.